Word: autonomous (adjective)

Associations

"Autonomous" means being independent and able to control yourself or something without outside help.

• In technology: An autonomous car drives itself without a driver.
• In work: An autonomous worker can do tasks without needing constant supervision.
• In politics: An autonomous region governs itself without control from a larger government. A synonym is "independent," but "autonomous" often suggests having the power or right to govern or control oneself, not just being free from others.

Substitution

Other words you can use depending on context:

• Independent – focuses on freedom but less on self-governing power.
• Self-governing – especially for countries or groups managing themselves.
• Self-sufficient – emphasizes being able to do something alone, usually with resources. Changing the word changes the focus: "autonomous" stresses control and decision-making ability.

Deconstruction

The word "autonomous" comes from Greek:

• "auto-" means "self"
• "-nomous" comes from "nomos," meaning "law" or "rule" So "autonomous" literally means "self-rule" or "self-law."

Inquiry

Think about these questions:

• Can you think of a situation where being autonomous is important in your life?
• How is being autonomous different from just being free?
• Can a person be autonomous in some areas but not in others? How?